Donepezil
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It is a specific and reversible inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase
Current theories on the pathogenesis of the cognitive signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease attribute some of them to a deficiency of cholinergic
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Some potential effects of donepezil on the AD brain, leading to reduced cortico-hippocampal atrophy, include the following: AChE inhibition, enhancement of cholinergic
Cholinesterase inhibitors (like donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine) in dementia provide symptomatic relief by inhibiting cholinesterase at the synaptic cleft and increasing cholinergic
Low body weight (below 50 kilograms or 110 pounds)—Higher blood levels of donepezil may result and increase the chance of side effects
Donepezil is well tolerated; the most common adverse events are predictable from its cholinergic mechanism of action Lower incidence of adverse events in a naturalistic trial setting: It is available as round, film-coated tablets each containing donepezil hydrochloride 5 or 10 mg
It is more popular than comparable drugs
The drug is an anticholinesterase agent that binds reversibly with and inactivates cholinesterases (eg, acetylcholinesterase), thus inhibiting hydrolysis of acetylcholine
Donepezil is a go-to medication for treating Alzheimer’s-related dementia
It usually takes at least a month for donepezil to start working, but it can take longer for some people
Acetylcholinesterase is an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine after its release from the presynapse
It's taken once a day as a pill
The principal mechanism of action of memantine is believed to be the blockade of current flow through channels of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors--a glutamate receptor subfamily broadly involve
Loperamide is an anti-diarrheal agent that is available as various over-the-counter products for treating diarrhea
2,10,11 Onset of action occurs within 15 minutes with intranasal formulations and as quickly as 3 minutes with ophthalmic solutions
Donepezil is marketed under the trademark Aricept and
Higher levels of acetylcholine improves communication between nerve cells in the brain